"Go for sinners and go for the worst" - Does this include the "Far-Right" too?

The founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth said many interesting and motivating things, but one quote that fills me in equal measures of excitement and dread over the years is

“Go for sinners and go for the worst”

Throughout my ministry I have tried to do exactly that, seeking out people others see as the worst and trying to show them the love of Jesus. Sometimes it has been costly, sometimes it has been uncomfortable, sometimes it has been scary, sometimes it has been a resounding flop, but always there has been a sense of God’s presence in the margins. 

Over the last couple of years, I have watched on in increasing horror as I have seen many people in society, and more worryingly, people of all levels in the church, condemn, criticise attack and ostracise a large swathe of society labelling them as hateful and anti-God. These people are often labelled ‘Far right thugs’ who see the changes in our country and feel that there is no politician or leader looking out for their good. They often happen to be white working class men, but the truth is iit encompasses men and women of all ages and in fact all races. 

I have watched many of the rallies that have taken place in London under the banner of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ live online and have seen rather than hate, racism, and the stoking of anger, a group of people who are looking for the truth in our society and in our world. I see a group of people who are disenfranchised with the world, who are searching for something deeper and who are feeling more and more marginalised and alienated. I am not naive enough to believe that all people at these marches go with pure motives and that there aren’t individuals there who are filled with rage and hatred and would be willing to act on that. However they ALL need Jesus. 

As this group of people continue to be pushed to the margins and condemned, what is the response of the church and what is the response of those who happily quote “Go for sinners and go for the worst?” Rather than reaching out, listening, sharing the good news of Jesus and walking in love, I have sadly seen so many people write these children created in the image of God off! I have seen people quick to criticise and happily denounce them and everything they stand for. This has made me increasingly uncomfortable and I have been carrying a weight of sorrow for people who are seeking the truth and finding doors closed firmly in their face. 

This year I have been leading an advent group reading Paula Gooder’s ‘The meaning is in the waiting’. This morning I read my daily reading with many of these thoughts swirling around in my head, and I was blown away by what I read. It talked about Jesus’ choice to minister to and spend time with those who were vilified by society, who found themselves on the outskirts with no way back. The last sentence was like a strike to the head, and I share it today to encourage you to consider how we might individually and as a church, reach out to this group of people who are vilified by many in our society. 

“Jesus still seeks out those who are right on the edge of society, those who we despise and vilify… and most challenging of all calls us to do the same.”